Living & Eating

by John Pawson

Living and Eating is above all a cookery book, packed with 'luscious recipes' (Marie Claire), with food that has been selected to be simple and delicious. The intention is to narrow the gap between how we eat on a daily basis and how we entertain, recognizing that the most relaxed form of entertaining is simply about inviting people to join you at your table. The collection of recipes is designed to cater for all seasons and occasions, and gives attention to making the best ever version of everyone's there are recipes for roast chicken, the definitive tomato salad, tagliatelle a la carbonara, apple tart and summer pudding. The book goes beyond the food itself to look at the whole context in which we enjoy it - the plates and glasses we eat and drink from, the equipment we use to prepare the food and the kitchen in which we cook. Exquisitely designed and produced, and illustrated with stunning food photography and photographs of John Pawson's London house, Living and Eating is an unparalleled, much praised guide to a simple yet utterly seductive way of cooking, eating and living.

Genres: Cookbooks, Cooking, Food, Architecture

Paperback

First published October 1, 2001

Reviews

[Sarah Jobson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Skip all the pretentious nonsense about lifestyles at the start. I don’t need to be dictated to about my choice of fork!!
But the recipes - they are a joy. This is one of my top 5 all time recipe books. Annie Bell is a genius, easy to follow, every recipe is spot on.
Highly recommend.

[Sophia · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is now a well-used book from kitchen shelf.

John Pawson and Annie Bell add a little style to everything. Vegetables and Salads are elevated from side dishes to events in themselves.

Favourite recipes include: a tomato based chicken stew with gremolata; salt baked whole fish; carrot and ginger soup; carrot and parsley salad, leeks braised in white wine; fish pie, chocolate ganache cake. I could go on....

At the back of the book is a handy menu plan in case you are stuck for ideas for a 'midweek supper with friends' or a 'sunday lunch'.

[Kidlitter · Rating 4 out of 5]

Guaranteed to send the reader round the twist with envy of Pawson's lifestyle. GAWD, the house is gorgeous and thanks to Annie Bell, the food matches up. Though I do imagine minions hovering outside the camera frame cleaning away the flecks of dirt or stray cutlery littering up the joint, I buy into this vision every time. Marie Kondo ain't got nothing on this kind of minimalism.

[Jill · Rating 5 out of 5]

A cookbook written by a visionary architect, beautiful writing about kitchens, food and tools in an elegant an minimal presentation - and a stunning chutney recipe to boot (p. 217) - what's not to like?

[James Moes · Rating 4 out of 5]

A minimalist manifesto as pertaining to both architecture of the home, food presentation/preparation, and social eating.

[Amanda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great advice for those looking to plan a kitchen and lovely, simple recipes.